International News for the Latino Community

LULAC Applauds Appointment of New Commissioners to U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced the appointments of Catherine Lhamon and Debo Adegbile to serve as commissioners for six year terms on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The Commission is a bipartisan, independent commission composed of eight commissioners who exercise discretion over a range of civil rights issues. The Commission is often referred to as a “Civil Rights Watch Dog” that ensures that the federal government is enforcing civil rights laws fairly. Currently, Catherine Lhamon serves as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and Debo Adegbile is a partner at WilmerHale and has previously worked at the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. In response, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. issued the following statement:

“These appointments are important given recent attacks on our basic civil rights. Both of these accomplished and highly qualified individuals have worked on issues that impact minority communities and bring extensive experience to the Commission. Catherine Lhamon’s ground-breaking work has helped change the way colleges respond to sexual assault and how schools treat transgender students. In addition, Debo Adegbile’s legal career includes fighting on behalf of civil rights issues, including employment and housing discrimination and criminal justice. We are confident that their presence on the Commission will ensure that it remains active and engaged in protecting our civil rights.”